OP Art

Op art, also known as optical art, is a style of visual art that makes use of optical illusions.

"Optical art is a method of painting/drawing concerning the interaction between illusion and picture plane,

between understanding and seeing." Op art works are abstract, with many of the better known pieces made in only black and white. When the viewer looks at them, the impression is given of movement, hidden images,

flashing and vibration, patterns, or alternatively, of swelling or warping

Step One

• Use the ruler to draw a series of vertical lines from the left edge of the paper to the right (or vice versa). The lines should be parallel but of varying distance from each other. The best result is obtained by a 'wave' pattern, where the lines get progressively closer together and then further apart (this could be repeated several times).

Step Two

• Draw horizontal lines from the top edge to the bottom edge of the paper. The lines should be parallel and the same distance from each other.

Step Three• Create 'diamonds' by drawing

from corner to corner of the 'rectangles' (see example). Alternate diagonal lines from bottom to top with ones from top to bottom: /\/\. In the row underneath, do the opposite: \/\/. Repeat until you've done all the rows. Draw the lines lightly in pencil so they don't show in the final painting. (Alternatively, print this art worksheet onto a sheet of watercolor paper.)

Step four

• Paint in the 'diamonds'. You could alternate just two colors (e.g. black and white), alternate a dark color with multiple colors , or use multiple colors just never the same one in adjacent blocks. (See example.)